Prompt: Tell a story about self-respect that you have heard or read
1. Detailed outline
2. Sample essay #1
3. Sample essay #2
4. Sample essay #3
Tell a story about self-respect that you have heard or read
I. Outline Narrating a Story about Self-Respect That You Have Heard or Read (Standard)
1. Introduction
Introduce the context and characters of the story you want to tell.
2. Body
- Delve into the details of the story:
+ A person with self-respect, a poor but honest shoe seller.
+ A person with self-respect, a neighbor facing difficulties but refusing pity from others.
- Actions portraying self-respect.
- Your emotions when hearing and witnessing this.
- Lessons drawn from it.
3. Conclusion
Share your reflections on that inspiring example of self-respect.
II. Sample Essay Narrating a Story about Self-Respect That I Have Heard or Read (Standard)
1. Sample Essay Narrating a Story about Self-Respect That I Have Heard or Read, Sample #1 (Standard):
Last weekend, my whole family went out for breakfast as usual. The familiar rice roll shop was already crowded, and we had to add a table right next to the sidewalk.
While waiting for the rice rolls to be served, there was a boy around my age, carrying a toolbox, inviting my dad for a shoe shine. He looked pitiful in his silver-colored clothes and worn-out flip-flops. My dad nodded in agreement and reminded him to clean thoroughly.
A moment later, the young friend returned my dad's shiny shoes with a bright smile:
- Yours, sir. That's twenty thousand dong!
My dad opened his wallet but couldn't find any twenty-thousand bills, and my mom didn't have any either. Seeing that, my dad gave the boy a fifty-thousand bill and said:
- Go get change and bring it back to me, okay?
The boy hesitated for a moment and then ran off. My mom scolded my dad, asking why he trusted someone like that. What if the boy needed the money and left without returning? Dad just smiled and said:
- If it's lost, consider it a charitable act.
But no. Only about 5 minutes later, the small figure ran back towards my family. The boy handed over 30,000 dong with both hands, thanking my dad for the shoe shine. My dad returned the 30,000 dong to the boy and said:
- Keep it. This 30,000 dong is well-deserved for your honesty.
That morning, the sky seemed even more beautiful to me.
2. Tell a story about self-esteem that you have heard or read, sample 2 (Standard):
Next to our house is the family of Mrs. Mai, a single mother with her child. I heard my mom say that Mrs. Mai's husband left when she just gave birth.
Mrs. Mai's family is the most difficult one in the neighborhood. With a small child, Mrs. Mai's income from work is just enough for monthly expenses. The child is growing up, and the family can't afford extra spending. In the early morning, as I went to school, I saw Mrs. Mai getting ready to work. Late at night, their house lights were still on. Mrs. Mai would bring home clothes to wash after her main working hours. The neighborhood knows her situation, so occasionally, they give her new clothes and household items.
Once, the neighborhood decided to upgrade the road to prevent flooding during the rainy season. Each household contributed two hundred fifty thousand. My mom is the neighborhood leader, and she told me that she decided not to take money from Mrs. Mai's family or took less than everyone else.
The neighborhood meeting proceeded as usual. When it came time to contribute money, my mom quietly called Mrs. Mai aside and said:
- Both my daughter and I know your difficult circumstances. Let everyone contribute a bit for you. Our house will contribute only 100 thousand!
Mrs. Mai just quietly said 'yes,' but I saw tears in her eyes. One day, right after our meal, Mrs. Mai came over with a box of cakes for us. After chatting for a while, she took out 150 thousand and said to my mom:
- I appreciate your understanding during our difficult times. But since we live in the same neighborhood, everything should be fair and clear. Today, I have money, so I'm giving it to you. Please hold it for me, so I feel comfortable.
At that moment, I understood my grandmother's saying: 'Eat clean when hungry, smell good even in rags.' Mrs. Mai is truly a person with high self-esteem.
3. Narrate a story of self-respect that you have heard or read, sample #3 (Standard):
One morning on the way to school, my mother and I encountered an old man selling toothpicks sitting next to the traffic light pole at the intersection.
When the red light stopped, we saw the old man struggling with his toothpick basket, inviting people. Some shook their heads, some waved their hands, and some didn't bother to answer. Feeling pity, my mom gave me 10 thousand to run back to the old man. I got off the bike, went to the old man, and handed him the bill:
- Sir, my mom gives you some money. Hold on to it!
As I rushed back to my mom's bike, I heard the old man calling after me:
- Little one, you forgot to take these toothpicks.
Alongside the essay Telling a story about self-esteem that I've heard or read, students can explore other great 5th-grade essays such as: Telling about a time I made a mistake (skipping school, telling lies, not doing homework, etc.), Telling a story I've heard or read about environmental conservation,Telling a story I've heard or read about a person with determination, Narrating a story of helping a woman carrying a child and lots of belongings while enduring challenges
